Reenforced split d handle



Dec- 15, C. J. WELSH REENFORCED SPLIT D HANDLE Filed Aug. 26. 1924 IN VEN TOR.

C7265 far .7. M91522 A TTORNEYJ Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

UNITED STATES CHESTER J. WELSH, OF GONNEAUT, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GONNEAUT SHOVEL COM- PANY, OF CONNEAUT, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

REEN 'FORCED SPLIT D HANDLE.

Application filed August 26, 1924. Serial No. 734,157.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHESTER J. VVnLsH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Conneaut, county of Ashtabula, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Reenforced Split D Handles, of which the following is a speci iication, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention relates to handles for shovels, spades and other like implements and, as indicated, has more particular regard to handles commonly known as split-D handles wherein the upper end portion of the shaft .or stem is split or bifurcated to formtwo diverging arms between which, at the upper ends thereof, is in serted the gripfor the hand of the user. Handles of this type have long been known and are obviously much more economical of material than the ordinary D handle with integral grip which is turned out of the stick of wood from which the shaft of the handle is formed. In such split D handle, in order to firmly secure the grip in place "between the two side arms, it has been customary, in addition to passing a bolt or rivet through the parts in question, to provide a metallic reenforcement or cap that fits over the upper end of each arm and engages the adjacent end of the grip, as shown for example, in patent to G. O. Howard, Re. No. 1280, dated October 22, 1861. The grip, however, is subjected to a very severe turning moment when the handle is in use and it has been found in practice that such reenforcements as heretofore made do not in general serve to prevent turning of the grip.

The object of the present invention, accordingly, is to provide a handle of this type with an improved form of metallic reenforcement or cap of the sort just referred to which will be effective thus to prevent rotation of the grip. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosedmeans constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principleof the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a split-D handle embodying my present improvement, one side of such handle being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the handle taken on the broken plane indicated by the line 22, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section thereof taken on the plane indicated by the line 33, Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of one of the reenforcing members.

Only the upper portion of the wooden shaft or stem 1, that carries the shovel, spade or other implement, is shown in Fig. 1, such end being split or bifurcated in the usual manner to present two diverging arms 2. Adjacent the inner ends of these arms a rivet 3 is passed through the shaft 1 to prevent further splitting thereof, while between the outer ends of such arms is inserted the transverse grip 4 which is of gen eral cylindrical form in cross-section, being turned from a suitable piece of wood. As shown, such grip is slightly arcuate in shape when viewed from the front, but this is not essential to the invention which, as previously indicated, relates to the metallic reenforcements or caps 5. Each of the latter is in the form of a hollow shell shaped to fit over the upper end of one of the side arms 2 and to encircle the adjacent end of the grip 4. Such end is turned down so as to present a shoulder 6 against which the cap piece abuts and the lower face 7 of such reduced grip end is furthermore flattened transversely, as best shown in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the inner portion of the cap piece 5 projects beyond the inner face of the corresponding side arm 2 and constitutes in effect an annulus or ferrule 5 that completely encircles the adjacent reduced end portion of the grip. The under portion 5 of this annulus or ferrule is flatted to correspond with the flat face 7 on the grip and as a result the grip will obviously be held against rotation within the cap piece. The latter is fitted sufiiciently tightly on the upper end of arm 2 to be held firmly against rotation thereon, consequently the grip is positively secured against any movement with respect to the two arms of the handle. A rivet or bolt 8 is passed through the cap pieces 5, the ends 7 of the corresponding arms 2, and the interposed grip so as to bind or tie the parts firmly together.

As a result of the foregoing construction, a very strong and substantial handle of the split-D type is provided and as just pointed out, all danger of the grip turning between the two side arms of such handle is practically eliminated. It will be understood that in use, implements of the class in question are necessarily exposed more or less to the weather and no matter how tightly the ferrules of the cap pieces may be initially fitted onto the adjacent ends of the grip, the latter will in time tend to work loose where the ferrule portion is merely annular in form. No special nails or extensions of the cap pieces are involved in the present improved construction, the cap pieces or metallic reenforcements being, if anything, smaller in size than heretofore employed for this purpose.

Other modes of applying the principle of .my invention may be employed instead 0f the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the fol lowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a handle of the type described, the

combination with a shaft bifurcated at its upper end to form diverging arms; a grip bar inserted between such arms; and a reenforcing member for each of the latter comprising a cap encasing the upper end of the arm and a portion surrounding the adjacent end of said grip bar, such surrounding portion and grip bar end having regis tering non-circular parts, whereby said bar is locked against rotation.

. 2. In a handle of the typedescribed, the combination with a shaft bifurcated at its upper end to form diverging arms; a grip bar inserted between such arms; and a reenforcing member for each of the latter comprising a cap encasing the upper end of the arm and a portion of generally annular form surrounding the adjacent end of said grip bar, such end being reduced to receive such annular portion and the latter and such end being fiatted in corresponding parts, whereby said bar is locked against rotation.

Signed by me, this 28d day of August, 1924.

CHESTER J. WELSH. 

